The "male pill"
Denial is impossible, the situation is clear: Women take care of contraception in about 75% of cases. There are fourteen possible contraceptive methods for women, but only four for men – condoms, withdrawal, vasectomy and abstinence. It is high time to reach more equality in this field. In the last 40 years, there have been several attempts to find a contraceptive pill for men. However, up until now it has not been possible to introduce such a product in the market. Apart from medical reasons, men's' willingness to take responsibility in contraception has not been terribly high. Contraception, the cliché said, is a woman's job. However, this point of view has been changing in the last few years. A "male" pill might have a chance today. 

Even in the 60's and 70's, there were attempts at a male contraceptive, albeit not very successful ones. Cottonseed oil did have a contraceptive effect – but unfortunately this turned out to be irreversible in 30% of the cases.
Currently, a new male contraceptive is in clinical trials. The volunteers are taking progestin tablets that affect the pituitary and thus inhibit the release of a hormone that is necessary for sperm formation. In addition, the formation of the male sex hormone testosterone is inhibited – that is why the trial participants are given monthly intramuscular injections of testosterone. The injection is necessary because testosterone ingested by mouth is deactivated in the liver before it can have an effect.

In its search for fertility control in men, Schering AG is at the moment pursuing two basically different approaches. In the hormonal approach, similarly to the pill for women, application of androgens and progestins influences the natural regulation mechanism of the body in such a way that the testicles are no longer stimulated to produce sperm.
There is no negative effect on libido and sexual potency. Schering is already conducting clinical trials to prove effectiveness.

The second approach of Schering AG and its partners in an international research network aims at the development of a non-hormonal male contraceptive. The goal is to inhibit not only the production of sperm, but also their function. 
The results won so far clearly show that an effective and acceptable contraceptive method for men is possible. It is based on the function of the epididymis, resulting from the interesting fact that male sperm after leaving the testicle are not yet able to fertilize an egg. They must first pass the epididymis and there undergo a process of maturation. 
Scientists also expect new information from understanding the molecular recognition mechanism between egg and sperm during fertilization. Schering AG is actively doing research in this area.